Why TWRP on Redmi 5 Plus is not a luxury, but a necessity
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codename vincent) sooner or later face the limitations of standard MIUI firmware. No access to system files, you can not remove embedded applications, and backup works every time. Here comes TWRP Recovery - custom recovery environment that opens the door to full control of the device.
With TWRP, you can install informal firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), get root rights through Magisk, create full system backups, and even restore bricks after unsuccessful experiments. But there’s a caveat: the installation process on Redmi 5 Plus requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially supported by Xiaomi only for authorized accounts. We’ll show you how to get around all the pitfalls.
It's important to understand that the procedure carries risks. Wrong actions can lead to a loss of warranty, blocking of IMEI or complete failure of the device. If you are not prepared for the possible consequences, you better stop now. For the rest, let's start preparing.
Requirements and Preparation: What to Do Before Installation
Before you touch Redmi 5 Plus system partitions, make sure all the prerequisites are met:
- 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (model) MZE7S or MEE7S) It can take up to 30 minutes to unlock and run the firmware, and discharging in the middle of the operation can have consequences.
- 💻 Computer running Windows 10/11 Linux (macOS will require additional drivers) Virtual machines are not recommended due to problems with the software. USB-connection.
- 🔌 Original. USB-Cheap cables can cause errors in data transmission, especially in fastboot mode.
- 🔐 Xiaomi account, tied to the device for at least 7 days.This is a prerequisite for unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
Also, prepare the following files (links are valid for 2026):
| Component | Version. | Download link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Unlock Tool | 5.5.224.30 | Official website | Only to unlock the loader |
| ADB & Fastboot | 33.0.3 | Android Studio | Unpack into the root of the disk C:\platform-tools\ |
| TWRP for vincent | 3.7.0_12-0 | Official TWRP | Choose the version for vincent, not the Redmi Note 5! |
| Magisk (optional) | 26.4 | GitHub | To obtain root rights after installing TWRP |
⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 Plus was purchased in China (the domestic version), unlocking the bootloader may require additional actions, including waiting up to 360 hours (15 days) after the account is linked. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
Unlock the bootloader: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi
Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader on all its devices, including the Redmi 5 Plus, to prevent unauthorized system changes.The official way to unlock is through the Mi Unlock Tool utility, but there are a few key points that are not discussed in the standard instructions.
First, you need to link your account to your device in advance. If you just created a Xiaomi account and try to unlock the bootloader right away, the system will give you a “Couldn’t verify device” error. The minimum wait time is 7 days (168 hours), but for Chinese versions of devices this period can increase to 360 hours.
Second, Mi Unlock Tool often gives an error, "Current account is not bound to this device," even if the account is tied.
- Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and include OEM-unlock.
- In the same menu, activate debugging via USB.
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- In the command line (in the folder with platform-tools) do: adb reboot bootloader
- Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator and follow the instructions.
⚠️ Note: If after unlocking the bootloader, the phone is no longer defined in fastboot, try using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows. 30% of the time, the problem is solved by reconnecting the cable.
Xiaomi account linked to device (7+ days)|On. OEM-unlocking|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool|Backup of important data (unlocking will reset the phone)-->
Installation of TWRP Recovery: step-by-step instructions
When the bootloader is unlocked, you can start the TWRP firmware. It is important to use the correct version of the recovery for Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vincent). Installing the version for Redmi Note 5 (code whyred) will cause the sensor or camera to fail!
Follow these steps:
- Download the TWRP image for vincent (a file with the.img extension) and rename it to twrp.img for convenience.
- Place the file in the platform-tools folder on your PC.
- Connect your phone in fastboot mode (to do this, turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down until the hare logo appears in the hat).
- Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- After a successful firmware, don’t restart immediately! execute the command: fastboot boot twrp.img This will load the phone temporarily into TWRP, bypassing the standard recovery that can overwrite your backpacks.
If you see a password request after you reboot to TWRP (if you have a pattern lock or PIN installed) but the keyboard doesn't show up, don't panic. This is a known problem.
- 🔄 Reboot back to fastboot and repeat the command fastboot boot twrp.img.
- 📱 If the problem persists, download the alternative build. TWRP Decryption-enabled versions (look for versions marked "decryption" in the title).
- 🔧 In the extreme, reset the data via Wipe. → Format Data (all data will be deleted!).
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If you download your phone to a standard recap after installing TWRP, it overwrote your custom recovery. To avoid this, go to Advanced → Flash Current TWRP immediately after the first download to TWRP (if you don’t have this option, use the no-verity-opt-encrypt.zip file).
Getting root rights through Magisk (optional)
TWRP itself doesn't give root rights -- it only provides tools to modify the system. To get full control of the Redmi 5 Plus, you need to flash Magisk. It's a more secure analog of SuperSU, which hides the presence of root from banking applications and SafetyNet.
Instructions:
- Download the latest Magisk-v26.4.zip from the official repository.
- Transfer the file to your phone (you can use ADB push or connect the device as a flash drive in TWRP).
- In TWRP, select Install, find Magisk-v26.4.zip and confirm the firmware.
- Once installed, reboot to the system. Magisk will offer you additional settings when you first start up, you can agree.
To check the success of root installation:
- 📱 Install Root Checker from Play Market.
- 🔍 Run it and press "Verify Root".
- ✅ If you see the message "Congratulations! Root access is properly installed" - it was successful.
⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and games (Pokémon GO, Genshin Impact) locks root devices. To get around this, in Magisk, enable the "MagiskHide" and "Enforce DenyList" options, then add problematic apps to the exception list.
What to do if Magisk is not being stitched?
System Recovery and Problem Solving
Even with the exact instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common scenarios and solutions for the Redmi 5 Plus:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone does not turn on after TWRP firmware | Wrong version of recovery or interrupted firmware | Fly the original recavator through fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img, then repeat the process |
| Touchscreen doesn't work for TWRP | Incompatible Recaveri Assembly | Use the official version TWRP 3.7.0_12-0 Older versions require a patch. touch_fix.zip |
| Error "Invalid sparse file format at header" | Damaged firmware file or lack of memory | Check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded file. Sweat through fastboot, not TWRP |
| After installing Magisk, the phone is fixated on booting | Conflict with Magisk modules or damaged boot.img | Download to TWRP, delete files to /data/adb/magisk and re-sweeten Magisk |
If you encounter a soft brick (the phone turns on but does not load beyond the logo), try the following:
- Download to TWRP (Power + Volume Up)
- Go to Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache, Data.
- Sweep no-verity-opt-encrypt.zip (if it doesn’t help, do a full reset via Format Data).
- Reflash Magisk or another modification that caused the problem.
For a “hard brick” (the phone does not respond to buttons, is not determined in fastboot) you will need to EDL-It's a complicated procedure that requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable, and 90% of the time, it helps to contact a service center.
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If, after the manipulation, TWRP The phone has ceased to be defined as USB-Device, check the Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Windows Device Manager. their absence or error (code 10) indicates the need for firmware through the Windows Device Manager. EDL.
Backup and recovery: how not to lose data
One of the main advantages of TWRP is the ability to back up the system, including boot, system, data and other partitions, which is especially true on Redmi 5 Plus, since the device was released in 2018 and official support for MIUI has already been discontinued.
To make a backup:
- Download to TWRP.
- Go to Backup.
- Mark the sections for reservation (it is recommended to choose everything except cache and sdcard).
- Select a storage location (internal memory or microSD).
- Swipe to start the process.
Important nuances:
- 📁 Backup takes over ~8-12 GB. Make sure there is enough space on the memory card.
- ⏱️ The process may take 20-40 minutes depending on the amount of data.
- 🔄 To recover, select Restore and specify the backup folder. Do not restore the backup to another version. MIUI — This will lead to bootloop!
If you plan to experiment with custom firmware, create separate backups:
- 📱 Stock backup - the original MIUI modificationless.
- 🛠️ Backup with Magisk – a system with root rights, but without custom firmware.
- 🌐 Custom firmware backup – if you have installed, for example, LineageOS.
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To speed up backup creation, in the TWRP (Settings) settings, enable the option "Use rm -rf instead of formatting." This will reduce the operation time by 30-40%, but increases the risk of errors in recovery.